Personal head-mounted privacy system

ABSTRACT

Technologies are described for a personal privacy system configured to create a private space around the head and face of a user. The system can include a flexible membrane. The membrane may be in the form of a hood or curtain that may be held, supported, or suspended around the user&#39;s face. The hood or curtain may be held in position by a set of supporting elements. The hood or supporting elements may be supported by a headgear system such as a headband, hat, or visor. By extending the flexible membrane, the user can enjoy privacy from light, sounds, or other sensory distractions allowing them to sleep or rest in a public, or quasi-public environment such as an airplane, train, park, beach, subway, or waiting room. The personal privacy system may fold up, roll up, or otherwise deform into a compressed geometry that is discrete and lightweight.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/647,755, filed on May 16, 2012, entitled “Personal Head-Mounted Privacy System,” which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Consumers often desire to have privacy or block out light while attempting to sleep or rest in a public, or quasi-public environment. Examples of such an environment may include an airplane, train, park, beach, subway, waiting room, and so forth. It is with respect to these considerations and others that the disclosure made herein is presented.

SUMMARY

Technologies are described herein for a personal privacy system configured to create a private space around the head and face of a user. The system can include a flexible membrane. The membrane may be in the form of a hood or curtain that may be held, supported, or suspended around the user's face. The hood or curtain may be held in position by a set of supporting elements. The supporting elements may be rigid or semi-rigid. The hood or supporting elements may be supported by a headgear system such as a headband, hat, or visor. By wearing the headgear and extending the flexible membrane, the user can enjoy privacy from light, sounds, or other sensory distractions. As such, the user may sleep or rest in a public, or quasi-public environment such as an airplane, train, park, beach, subway, or waiting room.

The personal privacy system may fold up, roll up, or otherwise deform into a compressed geometry. The compressed geometry can be discrete and lightweight to support ease of transportation and storage. The personal privacy system can be used while traveling or otherwise on the go. Examples of possible names for the personal privacy system include DISCREET SLEEP, or NAP HAT. It should be appreciated that various other names and applications may apply to the personal privacy system without departing from the scope of the technology as presented herein.

It should be appreciated that the above-described subject matter may also be implemented as an apparatus, a system, an installation process, a manufacturing process, or as an article of manufacture. These and various other features will be apparent from a reading of the following Detailed Description and a review of the associated drawings.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended that this Summary be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side-view drawing illustrating a personal privacy system associated with a headgear according to one or more embodiments presented herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view drawing illustrating a personal privacy system associated with a head-wearable cap according to one or more embodiments presented herein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing illustrating a personal privacy system rolled up under a head-wearable cap according to one or more embodiments presented herein;

FIG. 4 is an outline diagram illustrating a bi-stable support element according to one or more embodiments presented herein; and

FIG. 5 is an outline diagram illustrating a folding support element according to one or more embodiments presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is directed to technologies for head-mounted personal privacy solutions. In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments or examples. Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like, but not necessarily identical, elements through the several figures, aspects of head-mounted personal privacy solutions will be presented.

Turning first to FIG. 1, a side-view drawing illustrates a personal privacy system 130 associated with a headgear 110 according to one or more embodiments of the technology presented herein. Similarly, in FIG. 2 a perspective view drawing illustrates a personal privacy system 130 associated with a head-wearable cap according to one or more other embodiments of the technology presented herein.

The personal privacy system 130 for creating a private space around the head and face of a user may include a flexible membrane 150. Supporting elements 140 may support the membrane 150 into position. A headgear 110 may support the membrane 150 or supporting elements 140. According to the illustrated examples, the headgear 110 may be a headband or a cap wherein the membrane 150 or supporting elements 140 extend downward from the headband or downward from a bill 120 of the cap.

While wearing the headgear 110 and the associated personal privacy system 130, the user can enjoy privacy from light, sounds, and other sensory distractions. As such, the user may be able to sleep or rest in a public, or quasi-public environment such as an airplane, train, park, waiting room, or so forth.

The membrane 150 or supporting elements 140 may mechanically couple a headgear 110 to form the personal privacy system 130. The system 130 may permanently incorporate the headgear 110, wherein the membrane 150 or supporting elements 140 are affixed to the headgear 110. Alternatively, the system may removably couple to the headgear 110. For example, the membrane 150 or supporting elements 140 may connect to the headgear 110 using clips, velcro, zippers, snaps, buttons, spring clips, hooks, pins, any other connecting structure, or any combination thereof

The headgear 110 may include a hat, cap, visor, headband, or other type of wearable or head-mountable headgear. The headgear 110 may include a framework of supports, straps, strings, or panels to form a structure that is hat-shaped or otherwise configured to support the personal privacy system 130 on, over, or adjacent to the head of the user. The headgear 110 may include a bill 120 or other structure for holding the membrane 150 away from the face of the user. The headgear 110, the personal privacy system 130, or both in combination may be configured so as to reduce impact on the hairstyle, makeup, or skin condition of the user. Such features can allow the user to arrive at a destination after travel without appearing disheveled. The features may also avoid irritating sensitive skin on the face, head, or neck of the user.

The membrane 150 may be in the form of a hood or curtain. The membrane 150 may be held, supported, or suspended around the user's face. The membrane 150 may flip up, fold up, roll up or otherwise compress and store into a reduced geometry for ease of transport and storage.

The membrane 150 may comprise a natural or artificial textile. The textile may be woven, spun, rolled, or otherwise formed into flexible or semi-flexible sheets. The membrane 150 may be a set of panels each suspended between the supporting elements 140. The membrane 150 may also be a single piece that is affixed to the supporting elements 140. The membrane 150 may be opaque, transparent, or semi-transparent.

Various areas of the membrane 150 may be different colors or opacities. Two areas of differing color or opacity may be gradually transitioned from one to another. For example, the membrane 150 may have an optically opaque area and a substantially transmissive area where the opaque area is positioned over the user's eyes for privacy or napping while the optically transmissive area may be positioned in front of the eyes while the user transitions to waking but wishes to maintain some private space. The membrane 150 may also have a reflective effect such that the user can see out, but others cannot see in. Also, the membrane 150 may reflect glare or reduce ambient brightness similar to sunglasses.

The membrane 150 may be breathable to cool or avoid heating the user. The membrane 150 may also be insulating to keep the user warm. The membrane 150 may be formed or formulated to avoid irritation of the skin on the face or neck of the user. The membrane 150 may be formed from a material that is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, non-irritating, bio-inert, or any combination thereof. Similarly, the membrane 150 may be impregnated with materials or substances that are anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, or any combination thereof.

The placement of the membrane 150 over at least the mouth and nose of the user may provide functionality similar to a germ-mask. The membrane 150 may prevent the user from being exposed to illness causing germs (such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and so forth). Such germs may be associated with cold, flu, bronchitis, tuberculosis, or various other illnesses. Similarly, the membrane 150 may prevent such germs or other particles from spreading outward from the user to other people.

The membrane 150 may be formed in various colors. The membrane 150 may also be printed, silk-screen, embroidered, or otherwise decorated with various patterns, artwork, logos, or graphics. For example, the membrane 150 may display the colors, logos or mascots of sports teams. The membrane 150 may also include corporate sponsorship or logos for advertising or premiums. The membrane 150 may also display messages such as “do not disturb,” “wake for meals,” or so forth. These messages may be useful while the user naps on a commercial airline flight or train and would like to leave a privacy indicator for operating staff such as flight attendants.

The supporting elements 140 may be rigid or semi-rigid. The supporting elements 140 may be made of plastic, wire, metal, wood, rubber, or any other suitable material. The supporting elements 140 can support the personal privacy system 130 to flip up, fold up, roll up, or otherwise deform into a reduced geometry while also opening out such that the membrane 150 forms a supported hood-like, or tent-like structure. In the open position, the personal privacy system 130 can hold the membrane away from the face of the user. Supporting the membrane away from the face of the user can enhance ease of breathing and comfortable resting or napping while avoiding several undesirable effects such as skin irritation, overheating, suffocation, or the disheveling of hair or makeup.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective drawing illustrates a personal privacy system 130 rolled up under a head-wearable cap 110 according to one or more embodiments of the technology presented herein. As discussed, the supporting elements 140 can fold, flip, or roll so as to compress the membrane 150 into a reduced geometry. In the closed position, the membrane 150 may be raised out of the view of the user so that the headgear 110 may be worn as a traditional hat, visor, or so forth. As discussed, the supporting elements 140 and the membrane 150 may be affixed to the headgear 110 or may be removable form the headgear 110.

According to various embodiments, the personal privacy system 130 may roll, collapse, or fold either vertically or horizontally. The compact nature of the personal privacy system 130 may be enhanced when incorporated with an elastic or otherwise sizeable headband for the headgear 110.

It should be appreciated that the personal privacy system 130 may be manufactured as a low-cost disposable item or a more permanent, reusable item. A disposable, or reduced-cost instance of the personal privacy system 130 may be included in an accessory kit provided by a transportation carrier such as an airline or rail system provider. Such kits may generally include eye-masks, earplugs, headsets, toothbrushes, and so forth. The personal privacy system 130 may be a valuable addition for the traveler.

According to various embodiments, the personal privacy system 130 may include padding to form cushioning or a pillow effect. Such cushioning may provide added comfort to the user and enhance restful sleeping or napping. The padding or pillow may be affixed to, or removable from, the personal privacy system 130.

According to various embodiments, the personal privacy system 130 may include earplugs for substantially blocking out noise and further enhancing the privacy effect of the personal privacy system 130. The personal privacy system 130 may include headphones for delivering audio, music, white-noise, other colored-noise, noise- cancelation and so forth. The earplugs or headphones may be affixed to, or removable from, the personal privacy system 130.

It should be appreciated that the personal privacy system 130 may come in various sizes. For example smaller sizes may be appropriate for use by children or babies and may be deployed in strollers or car seats for napping.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an outline diagram illustrates a bi-stable support element 140A according to one or more embodiments of the technology presented herein. The support element 140A may have a structure of a bi-stable spring formed form metal, plastic, or other suitable material. Such a bi-stable spring may be straightened out and popped open thereby creating tension within the spring to hold it open. Once straightened, the bi-stable spring may be mechanically deformed near its center to snap the spring into a curled or curved geometry. The straight position of the bi-stable support element 140A can support the membrane 150 of the personal privacy system 130 into an extended configuration for privacy, while the curled position of the bi-stable support element 140A can roll the membrane 150 into a closed or storage configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an outline diagram illustrates a folding support element 140B according to one or more embodiments of the technology presented herein. The folding support element 140B can include two or more rigid portions 510 connected to one another by pivots 520 such that the folding support element 140B can be extended into a substantially straight configuration or alternatively, folded up into a compressed geometry. When the folding support element 140B is extended into an elongated geometry, the folding support element 140B can support the membrane 150 of the personal privacy system 130 into an extended configuration for privacy. When the folding support element 140B is folded up at its pivots 520, the membrane 150 can be rolled up into a closed or storage configuration having a compressed or reduced geometry.

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that technologies for a personal privacy system configured to create a private space around the head and face of a user are presented herein. Although the subject matter presented herein has been described in specific language related to structural features or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described herein. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementation.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal privacy system comprising: two or more collapsible supporting elements attachable to a headgear, wherein the headgear is configured to be worn on a head above a face of a human; and a flexible membrane affixed to the two or more supporting elements positioned to substantially cover the face without touching against the face, wherein the flexible membrane supported by the supporting elements provides a tent-like mask around the face when the supporting elements are extended and takes on a significantly reduced geometry when the supporting elements are collapsed.
 2. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein the headgear is a headband.
 3. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein the headgear is a cap.
 4. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein the headgear is a visor.
 5. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein the two or more supporting elements attach to the headgear at a bill extending from the headgear.
 6. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein the two or more supporting elements attach to the headgear using one or more clips.
 7. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more supporting elements comprise a bi-stable spring.
 8. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more supporting elements comprises two or more rigid portions foldably connected to one another by pivots.
 9. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is substantially opaque.
 10. The personal privacy system of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is printed with a written message or a logo.
 11. A personal privacy system comprising: a headgear configured to be worn on a head above a face of a human; two or more supporting elements extending from the headgear downward over the face and slightly outward away from the face; and a flexible membrane affixed to the two or more supporting elements positioned to substantially cover the face without touching against the face, wherein the flexible membrane supported by the supporting elements provides a private space around the face of the human.
 12. The personal privacy system of claim 11, wherein the headgear is a headband.
 13. The personal privacy system of claim 11, wherein the headgear is a cap.
 14. The personal privacy system of claim 11, wherein the headgear is a visor.
 15. The personal privacy system of claim 11, wherein the two or more supporting elements attach to the headgear at a bill extending from the headgear.
 16. The personal privacy system of claim 11, further comprising earplugs or headphones.
 17. The personal privacy system of claim 11, wherein each of the two or more supporting elements comprise a bi-stable spring.
 18. The personal privacy system of claim 11, wherein each of the two or more supporting elements comprises two or more rigid portions foldably connected to one another by pivots.
 19. The personal privacy system of claim 11, wherein the flexible membrane is substantially opaque.
 20. The personal privacy system of claim 11, wherein the flexible membrane is printed with a written message or a logo. 